FINAL WARNING: The Shining Star
and various outbuildings which were on the site where Solomon’s
Temple originally stood, which was adjacent to the Dome of the Rock.
Although their goal was “to keep the road from the coast to Jerusalem
free from bandits,” for nine years they rarely left the palace grounds. It
was an unrealistic pledge, because it would have been difficult for the
nine to patrol this fifty mile road; besides, a military order known as
the Knights of Saint John were already performing that task before the
Templars showed up. It is now known that they had some knowledge
about the Temple treasures, because there is evidence which indicates
that they were engaged in a massive excavation project.Vast arched subterranean rooms were used by Knights during the
Crusades to keep horses, and were known as “Solomon’s Stables.”
The Templars were aware of these hidden areas underneath the
Temple grounds, and believed that the Ark would be found there. They
mounted an operation to plunder whatever treasurers they could find.
Although it is questionable that they found the Ark, it is believed that
they discovered treasure, relics and ancient manuscripts dating back
to the time of Moses. Israeli archaeologists, engaged in excavations on
the southern side of the Mount, found the exit point of a tunnel which
had been dug by the Templars. It lead inward about 30 yards, where it
was blocked by stone and debris.There has been many stories concerning the location of the Ark of the
Covenant. Some believe it is still buried in a secret chamber on the
Temple Mount. Jewish historian Eupolemus wrote that many of the
Temple treasures had been plundered by Babylon, “except for the Ark
and the tablets in it. This Jeremiah preserved.” According to the
apocryphal Second Book of Maccabees 2:4-8, which has been dated to
163 BC, the prophet Jeremiah had concealed the Ark (as well as the
Tabernacle, and the Altar of Incense) in a cave on “the mountain where
Moses went up and beheld the heritage of God.” Some researchers
believe that this could refer to either Mount Sinai or Mount Nebo,
which is located in what is now the country of Jordan, and is the
traditional burial place of Moses. The contention was made, that since
these articles were made under the leadership of Moses, they may
have been deposited at the site of his burial. Various archaeological
expeditions had failed to turn up anything there.During the 1920’s, American explorer, Antonio Frederick Futterer,